TRENTON — Several babies were born in the first hours of 2018 but a South Jersey girl born just after midnight might just have been the first.

Initial reports from hospitals around New Jersey indicate E’laya Lewis was 2018's first Garden State baby, born at 12:01 a.m. at Cooper University Medical Center in Camden, according to hospital spokeswoman Wendy Marano.

Just two minutes behind was the delivery at Hackensack University Medical Center of Micayla Araujo to her parents Manny Araujo and Lainne Afonso of Kearney, according to spokeswoman Shari Hensley.Micayla arrived at five pounds 11 ounces and measured 18” in length. She was an early arrival and not due until January 8. Lainne Afonso began having contractions on New Year's Eve and headed to the hospital in the evening when her water broke.

First Baby 2018
(Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center)
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“We are so proud of our new baby and the fact that she was born on New Year’s Day. It’s a sign that good things will happen for her and this is definitely the best way to start the New Year," Manny Araujo said.

There may be other babies that have not yet been reported. Parents must give permission for the information to be released to the media.

Sean Luke Gallanthen was born at 12:13 a.m. at Atlantic Health System's Newton Medical Center, according to spokesman Luke Margolis. He weighed in at 7 pounds 12 ounces and 20.5 inches.

Taras Gario was delivered 12:27 a.m. at University Medical Center of Princeton to his parents Tatiana Tarasova and Marco Gario at 21 inches long and weighing 9 pounds, 4 ounces

A boy named Declan was delivered at 12:54 a.m. at Virtua Voorhees to a Camden County couple, according to spokeswoman Peggy Leone. He was 19.6 inches and weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces.

Taheem Williams was the first baby born in 2018 at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's Mainland Campus at 2:15 a.m., weighing 5 pounds 10 ounces, and 19 inches. His parents are Tiosha Goddard and Kaleem Williams, of Atlantic City.

Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston reported their first baby as a girl, Avyana Dhar-Verma born to Swati Dhar and Pankaj Verma at 2:40 a.m.

A boy was born at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center at 2:59 a.m.

The Jersey Shore's first baby of 2018 entered the world at 3:10 a.m. at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

The first baby at Community Medical Center in Toms River was born at 5:28 a.m.

Do you know of a New Year's baby? Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

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